Grievous Bodily Calm have been crafting their own innovative blend of jazz, electronica & progressive sounds for nearly a decade. The quintet from Boorloo/Perth, Western Australia have made it a priority to lead with feeling - using melody as a way to connect and shape the emotional core of their instrumental works. The music is as expressive as it is intricate, captivating audiences through every studio release and their vibrant live show. 

GBC consists of Matthew McGlynn on trumpet & flugelhorn, Thomas Manson on synths, Josiah Padmanabham on synths/guitar, Zac Grafton on bass and Alex Reid on drums. Each member contributes a rich blend of influences, combining their unique instrumental expertise, improvisational style, and sound design skills to shape the band’s distinctive sound.

The band have always embraced a strong DIY ethos, valuing skill building in writing, recording and producing. With each release they’ve continued to push their creative boundaries - experimenting with new approaches to engineering, instrumentation and sound design as an integral part of their artistic evolution.

In 2017, the band released their debut recording, Thought Tapes Live—the result of a residency that gave them full freedom to improvise and explore sonic landscapes. The album captures their earliest compositions, mostly born from spontaneous jam sessions. There's a raw, unpolished energy as the band begins to navigate songwriting and shape their musical identity.

GBC released their first studio EP, Repel in 2019. Written and recorded over several months in a home studio, the record carries a ‘beat tape’ aesthetic—lo-fi production paired with a narrative arc that unfolds across seven tracks, including the singles Footwork and Tremble Dance. The studio environment gave the band space to experiment, using engineering and production as integral parts of the songwriting process. Alchemise won Electronic Song of the Year at the 2020 WAM Awards. The track Inner Firmament, featuring Allira Wilson, marked the band’s first collaboration with another artist.

Released in 2020, the Arc EP saw the band delving deeper into electronic, techno, and house influences from their home studio. Comprising three tracks, the EP leans heavily on production, continuing the band’s approach of using the studio as a core compositional tool. It includes the dance-driven single Sync Step and the J Dilla-inspired Mosaic. Arc also features a string quartet, marking a step forward in the band's exploration of instrumentation and arrangement techniques.

In 2023, GBC released Cascades to widespread acclaim, marking their first project recorded in a professional studio. Embracing their jazz and fusion roots, the band brought improvisation and a more acoustic palette to the forefront. The EP follows a narrative arc with thematic allusions to water, showcasing a refined blend of composition and spontaneity. Cascades earned the WAM Award for Best EP and was nominated for Best Jazz Release at the AIR Awards. The track Spirals was featured in Fortnite, while both Spirals and Yawp received WAM Song of the Year awards in the electronic and jazz categories, respectively.

The band have released two singles — Sprig Theme and Geode Song — in late 2024 and early 2025. These tracks mark the beginning of a larger narrative that Grievous Bodily Calm will continue to reveal throughout the year.

GBC have earned a strong reputation for their energetic and engaging live performances, honed through relentless gigging and touring since their formation. On stage, the band moves beyond their studio recordings, embracing interplay, improvisation, and risk to create a dynamic, ever-evolving sound. They've shared stages with renowned artists including Mulatu Astatke, Snarky Puppy, Black Midi, Hiatus Kaiyote, Digable Planets, Fat Freddy’s Drop, The Avalanches, Tame Impala Sound System and Beach House. Their live credentials include performances at iconic venues such as the Sydney Opera House Forecourt and Phoenix Central Park, as well as appearances at major festivals including Dark Mofo, Perth Festival, Panama Festival and Big Sound.